I just discovered the charming "Mohini Bhasmasur" dance drama sequence in the 1957 Telugu (and Tamil) film Mayabazar this weekend and can't believe I haven't seen it before! The scene enacts the "Mohini Bhasmasur" legend in Hindu mythology which goes something like this: Shiva granted the demon Bhasmasur the ability to turn anyone whose head the demon touched to flame and ashes (bhasma). When Bhasmasur tried to use the power on Shiva, Shiva ran from him and sought Vishnu's help; Vishnu turned himself into the beautiful dancer Mohini and appeared in front of Bhasamasur. The demon was so smitten by Mohini that he asked her to marry him; she gave one condition that if he followed her every dance move, they would be wed. As the two matched steps, Mohini tricked the demon into matching her final move of touching her head!
It's a clever little trick that makes for an entertaining drama. But what makes the rendition in Mayabazar so fascinating is that it apparently features Guru Gopinath as the demon Bhasmasur and Guru Gopalakrishnan as Lord Shiva! Gopinath's costume is striking and his physicality, especially when he imitates the mohini's dance, is very funny.
It's a clever little trick that makes for an entertaining drama. But what makes the rendition in Mayabazar so fascinating is that it apparently features Guru Gopinath as the demon Bhasmasur and Guru Gopalakrishnan as Lord Shiva! Gopinath's costume is striking and his physicality, especially when he imitates the mohini's dance, is very funny.
